What is a shipping operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a shipping operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.36 an hour? That's $29,878 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreShipping OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,878

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.3

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 2.45%

Black or African American 17.07%

Hispanic or Latino 19.11%

Unknown 4.38%

White 56.16%

Gender

female 17.43%

male 82.57%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress Level
8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
3.8

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Shipping Operator career paths

Key steps to become a shipping operator

  1. Explore shipping operator education requirements

    Most common shipping operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.8 %

    Bachelor's

    27.2 %

    Associate

    15.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific shipping operator skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Pallets16.48%
    Safety Procedures9.55%
    Customer Orders8.62%
    RF6.99%
    Team Work6.42%
  3. Complete relevant shipping operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New shipping operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a shipping operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real shipping operator resumes.
  4. Research shipping operator duties and responsibilities

    • Receive large boxes on warehouse dock, scan product with RF scanner, and input product information into computer.
    • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
    • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
  5. Prepare your shipping operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your shipping operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a shipping operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Shipping Operator Resume templates

    Build a professional Shipping Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Shipping Operator resume.
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
    Shipping Operator Resume
  6. Apply for shipping operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a shipping operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Shipping Operator Job

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Average shipping operator salary

The average Shipping Operator salary in the United States is $29,878 per year or $14 per hour. Shipping operator salaries range between $24,000 and $37,000 per year.

Average Shipping Operator Salary
$29,878 Yearly
$14.36 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do shipping operators rate their job?

-/5

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Shipping Operator reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

It saves time and makes work easier and enhance greater output

Cons

To be surcharge when there's a damage on goods through accident


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

I am forced to think intuitively and I have come to find out that I enjoy thinking this way.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Learning where the parts are for such as the refinery. Nuts and bolts are used for. Washers, flanges and pipes are connected to.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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